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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte defense to skip alibi, witnesses in ICC hearing

Duterte defense to skip alibi, witnesses in ICC hearing

Published Aug 1, 2025 09:27 am  |  Updated Aug 1, 2025 01:18 pm

At A Glance

  • In a public redacted filing dated July 24, 2025, defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman informed the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I that the Defense would not invoke any ground for excluding Duterte's criminal responsibility under Article 31 of the Rome Statute.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team will not present any alibi or call witnesses in the upcoming confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC)
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC)
In a public redacted filing dated July 24, 2025, defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman informed the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I that the Defense would not invoke any ground for excluding Duterte’s criminal responsibility under Article 31 of the Rome Statute.
“There is no alibi to present to the Pre-Trial Chamber,” the document read.
“Furthermore, there is no ground that will be raised for the exclusion of criminal responsibility pursuant to Article 31 of the Rome Statute,” it added.
The Sept. 23 hearing will determine whether the case against Duterte, arrested in March, will proceed to trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s deadly war on drugs.
Kaufman also said the Defense would not call any witnesses, explaining that the credibility of witnesses carries little weight at this stage of the proceedings.
“The Defence will not call witnesses to testify at the confirmation hearing. This is a principled decision because credibility is given little weight at confirmation,” the submission read.
The filing also noted that disclosing witnesses prematurely would allow the Prosecution to adjust its strategy.
“The Defence does not wish to give advance notice of the many potential Defence witnesses who would counter the evidence provided by the Prosecution’s discrete and carefully selected band of witnesses – to be counted on the fingers of one hand,” it added.
In addition, the Defense will not submit any written testimonial evidence during the confirmation hearing for the same reason.
“For the same reason mentioned above, the Defence will not supply written testimonial evidence at confirmation, thereby permitting the Prosecution to adapt its investigation accordingly, should charges be confirmed,” the document read.
Meanwhile, the Defense assured the ICC that its ongoing investigations will not delay the proceedings.
The Duterte camp will, however, present documentary evidence as part of its response to the Prosecution’s case. It also reported having no physical evidence—such as books, photographs, or other materials—that must be turned over to the Prosecution.

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Rodrigo Duterte ICC Nicholas Kaufman
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